Covering the 300 - 500 end?

[Doog]

After purchasing the D90 and 18-105vr I followed up by adding a nikkor 70-300vr2, then a Sigma 10-20. Funds are not unlimited but I would like to cover the 300-500 range to complete my zooms. What would be the best way of doing this and keeping cost down. So if you don't mind could you help me with the following.

Which is the better of the two Sigmas, 50-500 or 150-500, bang for bucks? Or would a combo of lens and TC be feasible. I'd much appreciate your input. Ta!

 

[kherb]

I went down the TC route, suits me

 

[Tractor Boy]

You can use the Kenko 1.4x Pro 300 tc woth the 70-300 AF-S VR and that gets you to 420mm (plus the 1.5x crop factor adding another 210 if you want it in 35mm eqiv). The books say it shouldnt work but I use it and it even retains VR

Nick

 

[Softshoe]

Dougie

I also have the 70-300mm but had had my interest in aircraft rekindled last year which changed my photographic direction so that I needed more reach. I didn't give any serious consideration to using a tc but that was just me. Wanting a long lens I could use for most shots at a show I eventually went for a Sigma 50-500mm OS as using the 150-500mm would mean having to change lenses during a show, using Shuttleworth as the location most likely to be visited. According to the reviews I read, the IQ of the 50-500mm is the better of the two but looking at Pixel-Peeper I couldn't really see a huge difference. Hope this helps.

 

[Doog]

You can use the Kenko 1.4x Pro 300 tc woth the 70-300 AF-S VR and that gets you to 420mm (plus the 1.5x crop factor adding another 210 if you want it in 35mm eqiv). The books say it shouldnt work but I use it and it even retains VR

Exactly the book says TCs won't fit but I had heard contrary from a few people but being ultra cautious with my lenses I didn't want to damage anything. I also was convinced it wouldn't auto focus for instance, not that I haven't used a manual lens before but would like to keep auto if poss. Thanks for your input

Nick

Dougie

I also have the 70-300mm but had had my interest in aircraft rekindled last year which changed my photographic direction so that I needed more reach. I didn't give any serious consideration to using a tc but that was just me. Wanting a long lens I could use for most shots at a show I eventually went for a Sigma 50-500mm OS as using the 150-500mm would mean having to change lenses during a show, using Shuttleworth as the location most likely to be visited. According to the reviews I read, the IQ of the 50-500mm is the better of the two but looking at Pixel-Peeper I couldn't really see a huge difference. Hope this helps.

That does indeed help. If they are pretty much the same IQ i would probably go with the cheaper of the two. After all there is always something else needing bought A TC wouldn't be disregarded though as that would be a much cheaper option if it worked and could be used with the other lenses possibly.

 

[Tractor Boy]

That does indeed help. If they are pretty much the same IQ i would probably go with the cheaper of the two. After all there is always something else needing bought A TC wouldn't be disregarded though as that would be a much cheaper option if it worked and could be used with the other lenses possibly.

The TC does work and you do lose a bit of IQ. It depends what you want and how fast you need the lens to be. I have found that the TC takes the edge of the AF and you do need decent light for it to work well however given the right circumstances you can get shots like this....


Deer on the Water by Don't like to be Bored, on Flickr

I would suggest that the sigma may be better if you want to use the longer end regularly but if you only need it occasionally then the TC might be better :shrug:

HTH

Nick

 

[Doog]

The TC does work and you do lose a bit of IQ. It depends what you want and how fast you need the lens to be. I have found that the TC takes the edge of the AF and you do need decent light for it to work well however given the right circumstances you can get shots like this....


Deer on the Water by Don't like to be Bored, on Flickr

I would suggest that the sigma may be better if you want to use the longer end regularly but if you only need it occasionally then the TC might be better :shrug:

HTH

Nick

It would be for the longer end use certainly. For wildlife. Food for thought, thanks.